The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Lake County welcomes New Mexico musician Randy Granger in concert. Randy is an award-winning recording and touring artist specializing in the Native American flute, culture and storytelling. A multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter and composer, he tours the U.S. as a headlining act at festivals as well as in solo concert and house concerts. He is also a sought after teacher for flute schools offering workshops on technique as well as playing in specializing settings such as hospice and memory care facilities. His ancestry is Choltan (Mayan) and Apache among other tribes.

Randy Granger fuses ancient Native American and world flutes, world percussion, vocals, guitar and the ethereal and mesmerizing Handpans into a “Southwest World” style of music. His music is heard worldwide and on NPR, All Things Considered, PBS, Hearts of Space, Sirius Soundscape, IHeartRadio, Pandora, Youtube (1.8 Million views) and on podcasts and radio. A regular in-studio guest on radio and TV he has been the subject of many print articles, interviews and programs. Randy’s music has won and been nominated for several music industry awards as well as the Native American Music Awards (NAMMYS), Indian Summer Music Awards (ISMA), NM Music Awards and others. He has performed, headlined and taught at the Heard Museum, Sweetgrass School and Festival, RNAFF, INAFA, Zion Canyon flute fest, Yosemite, Tribal Stomp, Flutequest, Native Rhythms, Musical Echoes, Casa Grande, Voyager, Indian Summer, Sundance Film Festival, Handpangea, Gathering of Nations, Santa Fe Indian Market, New Mexico State Fair, Albuquerque Folk Festival, Salt Lake Fringe Fest, San Diego Fringe Fest, World of Faeries Fest and festivals around the U.S.

Randy is a licensed Massage Therapist, ordained minister and spiritual teacher. He led a Spiritual Journey in 2015 to Acoma Sky City Pueblo in New Mexico and Canyon de Chelly in Arizona with fourty-seven seekers. He speaks and provides music for congregations around the country and will speak and offer music Sunday after his Saturday concert. Learn more about Randy at randygranger.net, youtube.com/user/lonegranger,facebook.com/randygrangermusic

Sunday, September 10th, 2017

In association with Teatro Paraguas, we are proud to present our award winning original play for storytelling and music, KILLING BUDDHA, in Santa Fe!

In KILLING BUDDHA, two ageless homeless minstrels tell a story from North Indian folklore about a serial killer who encounters the historic Buddha seeking atonement. The play delves into modern questions about criminality, justice, and the limits of human forgiveness.

KILLING BUDDHA received the "Fringe Pick" award at the Great Salt Lake Fringe Festival in 2015, and the "Outstanding Storytelling" award at the 2016 San Diego International Fringe Festival. The Las Cruces Bulletin described KILLING BUDDHA as "a rich tapestry that is wonder and magic for the eye, the ear and the heart."

Performance dates and times:

Friday, September 8 at 7:30 PMSaturday, September 9 at 7:30 PMSunday, September 10 at 2:00 PM

Saturday, September 9th, 2017

In association with Teatro Paraguas, we are proud to present our award winning original play for storytelling and music, KILLING BUDDHA, in Santa Fe!

In KILLING BUDDHA, two ageless homeless minstrels tell a story from North Indian folklore about a serial killer who encounters the historic Buddha seeking atonement. The play delves into modern questions about criminality, justice, and the limits of human forgiveness.

KILLING BUDDHA received the "Fringe Pick" award at the Great Salt Lake Fringe Festival in 2015, and the "Outstanding Storytelling" award at the 2016 San Diego International Fringe Festival. The Las Cruces Bulletin described KILLING BUDDHA as "a rich tapestry that is wonder and magic for the eye, the ear and the heart."

Performance dates and times:

Friday, September 8 at 7:30 PMSaturday, September 9 at 7:30 PMSunday, September 10 at 2:00 PM

Friday, September 8th, 2017

In association with Teatro Paraguas, we are proud to present our award winning original play for storytelling and music, KILLING BUDDHA, in Santa Fe!

In KILLING BUDDHA, two ageless homeless minstrels tell a story from North Indian folklore about a serial killer who encounters the historic Buddha seeking atonement. The play delves into modern questions about criminality, justice, and the limits of human forgiveness.

KILLING BUDDHA received the "Fringe Pick" award at the Great Salt Lake Fringe Festival in 2015, and the "Outstanding Storytelling" award at the 2016 San Diego International Fringe Festival. The Las Cruces Bulletin described KILLING BUDDHA as "a rich tapestry that is wonder and magic for the eye, the ear and the heart."

Performance dates and times:

Friday, September 8 at 7:30 PMSaturday, September 9 at 7:30 PMSunday, September 10 at 2:00 PM

Workshop Information:In this two-hour workshop, Randy will teach and cover the basics of Native American flute playing from basic playing, breath control, technique to more advanced embellishments, phrasing, tonguing, special effects sounds and more. In the second portion of the workshop we will explore considerations such as performance, microphone techniques and a mini-master class where participants will perform a selection and receive constructive and supportive feedback.

Tickets: Workshop - $ 20.00Concert - $10.00Combo - $30.00

New Mexico musician, multi-instrumentalist Randy Granger fuses ancient Native American and world flutes, world percussion, vocals, guitar and the ethereal and mesmerizing Handpan into a “Southwest World” style of music. An award-winning recording and touring musician his music is heard worldwide and NPR, All Things Considered, PBS, Hearts of Space, Sirius Soundscape, IHeartRadio, Pandora, Youtube (1.8 Million views) and on podcasts and radio. Randy’s music has won and been nominated for several music industry awards as well as NAMMY, ISMA, NM Music Awards and others. He has performed, headlined and taught at the Heard Museum, Sweetgrass, RNAFF, INAFA, Zion Canyon flute fest, Yosemite, Tribal Stomp, Flutequest, Native Rhythms, Musical Echoes, Casa Grande, Voyager, Indian Summer, Sundance, Handpangea, Gathering of Nations, Santa Fe Indian Market and festivals around the U.S. A New Mexico native his Mayan and Apache ancestry is reflected in the spirituality of his music, which CDBaby.com described as “filled with an incredible stillness in every song.”

Workshop Information:In this two-hour workshop, Randy will teach and cover the basics of Native American flute playing from basic playing, breath control, technique to more advanced embellishments, phrasing, tonguing, special effects sounds and more. In the second portion of the workshop we will explore considerations such as performance, microphone techniques and a mini-master class where participants will perform a selection and receive constructive and supportive feedback.

Tickets: Workshop - $ 20.00Concert - $10.00Combo - $30.00

New Mexico musician, multi-instrumentalist Randy Granger fuses ancient Native American and world flutes, world percussion, vocals, guitar and the ethereal and mesmerizing Handpan into a “Southwest World” style of music. An award-winning recording and touring musician his music is heard worldwide and NPR, All Things Considered, PBS, Hearts of Space, Sirius Soundscape, IHeartRadio, Pandora, Youtube (1.8 Million views) and on podcasts and radio. Randy’s music has won and been nominated for several music industry awards as well as NAMMY, ISMA, NM Music Awards and others. He has performed, headlined and taught at the Heard Museum, Sweetgrass, RNAFF, INAFA, Zion Canyon flute fest, Yosemite, Tribal Stomp, Flutequest, Native Rhythms, Musical Echoes, Casa Grande, Voyager, Indian Summer, Sundance, Handpangea, Gathering of Nations, Santa Fe Indian Market and festivals around the U.S. A New Mexico native his Mayan and Apache ancestry is reflected in the spirituality of his music, which CDBaby.com described as “filled with an incredible stillness in every song.”

Friday, June 30th, 2017

DOORS OPEN AT 7:00!!! FIRST TAPA IS FREE!!!Flamenco Fridays kicks off with Jake Mossman & Friends, in an intimate evening of authentic Flamenco music. Jake will be joined by local Flamenco icons, Paco Antonio & Lucilene de Geus as Palmeros, as well as award winning Native American multi-instrumentalist, Randy Granger, adding a special musical twist to the evening. Your first Tapa is FREE! Come enjoy an evening of Flamenco and enjoy the first of a unique series of Flamenco concerts, soon to come. $10 Admission at the door.

Saturday, May 20th, 2017

Music and the Stars series at Leasburg Dam State Park in Las Cruces, NM. Award Winnng musician Randy Granger performs.

Concert at Leasburg Dam State Park on the RIo Grande this Saturday eve. Music & the Stars Come out and enjoy FREE music, followed by night sky observation through various telescopes - including, a sixteen inch research grade telescope within an observatory. Event i free with PAID Camping OR Day Use Fees. Fees: Regular Entrance Fee

Saturday, March 18th, 2017

Multi-instrumentalist, composer, recording artist, and singer-songwriter Randy Granger blends elements of southwest music like Native American flutes with world percussion, distinctive vocals, and other worldly HandPan instruments like the Halo, the Panart Hang and Moyo, Zen Tambour. The unique sound and energy of Granger’s live performances have earned him headline status many Native American and World festivals around the U.S. Learn more at www.randygranger.net.

Proceeds from the Desert Sage Coffeehouse series support the St. Andrew's Hospitality House, a non-denominational hospitality house for families of people in ICU or CCU in Las Cruces-area hospitals.

Location:One Pioneer Plaza Admission:Tickets are $16 at the box office, Ticketmaster outlets, ticketmaster.com (additional online charges may apply), 800-745-3000 and 915-534-0609. Season tickets for all eight shows are $103 (a 20% discount), available at the El Paso Community Foundation, online at epcf.org/give/donate (designate “Jewel Box Series Season Tickets”) or by calling 915-533-4020.Contact Name:El Paso Community Foundation Contact Phone:800-745-3000 Website: http://www.epcf.org/give/donate

Deming’s Theatre Dojo offers this award-winning modern take on an ancient North Indian legend about a serial killer seeking atonement from the divine teacher. Writer directorAlgernon D’Ammassa plays all of the characters, accompanied by nationally known Native American musician Randy Granger on wind, string and percussion.

Since its launch in 1997, The Moth has presented thousands of stories told live and without notes.

Moth shows are renowned for the great range of human experience they showcase. Each show starts with a theme, and the storytellers explore it, often in unexpected ways. Since each story is true and every voice authentic, the shows dance between documentary and theater, creating a unique, intimate, and often enlightening experience for the audience.

Through ongoing programs in more than 25 cities, The Moth has presented over 18,000 stories to standing-room-only crowds worldwide and it currently produces more than 500 live shows each year. Additionally, The Moth runs storytelling workshops for high school students and adults in underserved communities through their Education and Community Programs.

The Moth has an enthusiastic following for all of its content. The Moth podcast is downloaded over 30 million times a year, and each week, the Peabody Award-winning Moth Radio Hour is heard on over 400 radio stations worldwide. The Moth’s first book, The Moth: 50 True Stories was a NYT Bestseller and its new book will be released in Spring, 2017.

Finding the Spirit of the Flute SongEver wish you could remember the songs you play? Do you play the same song over and over? Do you feel like there is a song inside of you that you can't quite express? Then this workshop is for you.

In this two-part workshop you should learn how to notate you own songs using a quick and easy Tablature that you only need a sheet of paper to use and a simple numbering system. More than this method of notation Randy will teach you the creative part of how to write Flute songs using imagery, sound, visualization and how to create a heart-felt song and tap into the emotional and spiritual side of flute music. All level players are welcome and any key is fine.

Randy Granger is a professional recording artist, touring musician and multi-instrumentalist. He has been a music educator for over 35 years for the Yamaha School of music, private students, Skype students and has taught workshops, classes and at Native Flute schools including, Zion Canyon Flute Festival, Medicine Park, Tahlequah, RNAFF, INAFA, (now known as World Flute Society), Flutequest, Native Rhythms, Voyager, Sweetgrass, Casa Grande and others.

Randy is a multiple Indian Summer Music Awards and New Mexico Music Awards Winner, multiple NAMMY nominee and multiple nominee for the Zone Music Reporter awards, the broadcast industry's tracking system. His music is heard on Sirius Soundscapes, I Heart Radio, Music from the Hearts of Space, Native Radio and stations around the world including NPR and PBS. He headlines many Native American and World music festivals and tours the United States as a solo artist occasionally having guest musicians sit in with him.

Randy makes his home in Las Cruces, NM and is of Mayan and Apache ancestry we well as a meditation teacher, licensed massage therapist, writer, actor and minister. He has eight commercially released albums and a youtube channel with over 1.7 million views.

Award-winning Las Cruces musician, Randy Granger, is happy to finally have a full concert in his hometown.

“After touring most of this year coast to coast twice, over sixty performances and half the country it is very nice to share what I do with the people of Las Cruces. I love telling stories about the Mesilla Valley to my audiences on the road.” Granger said.

The concert is even more significant in that it will be his first performance in the Rio Grande since the completion of the mural on the theaters outside wall facing Water Street. All the people in the image represent performers who were on screen or live at the theatre from 1929 to the present. The project was fully funded with grants from the Paso Del Norte Health Foundation and approved by the Mayor and Las Cruces City Council in July 2016.

Students in the Ignite for Fun program in Las Cruces have been creating art in Las Cruces with social justice themes. Court Youth Center Artistic Director, Irene Oliver- Lewis says this is the students 4th project. Muralist Sebastian Velazquez says the design was inspired by the building. They used some of the historic tile and rosettes from some of the original 1920 architecture. As well as some of the actors and actresses of the times from when the theater opened until today.

Granger is the local performer on the mural, which includes actors from the silent film era to Star Wars, and then Granger playing the Native American flute he is so renown for in his recordings, awards and performances. For his January concert at the Rio Grande Theater he’s invited several other Las Cruces musicians and an actor to join him on stage. These are people he’s collaborated with here including his award-winning work with actor Algernon D’Ammassa and their very successful Theatre Dojo project. Flamenco guitarist Jake Mossman, musician, magician and entertainer Jamie O’Hara as well as cellist and singer/guitarist Alison Reynolds and a few dancers he’s worked with as well.

“It will be like a Randy and friends concerts because we have such very talented people here whom I’ve had the joy of working with and I want to share our energy and work with the audience. We have so much fun playing together I thought why not let others in on it?” He said.

Along with performing on the road he is also a sought after workshop leader and teacher at festivals and music schools around the country. He has volunteered his music at Mesilla Valley Hospice for over ten years and teaches other musicians how to begin that process. He’s played at Arbors Del Rey, The Aristocrat, Golden Mesa and the Village at Northrise for assisted living residents and those with Alzheimer’s and Dementia with remarkable results.

Granger led a Spiritual Journey to Acoma Sky City and Canyon de Chelly in 2014. A busload of New Mexicans from Las Cruces, Socorro, Santa Fe and Albuquerque were on the trip. The group meditated, drummed, practiced Yoga, learned about Native American spirituality and enjoyed a personal concert in Canyon de Chelly. He is an ordained minister and a regular speaker at the Center for Spiritual Living in Las Cruces as well as other churches in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Rio Rancho and Houston. He’s led meditation and drumming groups at his home for a couple of years now.

This concert will feature Granger’s award-winning music as well as some Native American stories he shares with audiences around the U.S. He performs on the ethereal Hang drum, Native American and World flutes, world percussion, guitar and voice as well as the Ukulele. A lifelong musician he makes his living full time at music. Recently he won and Indian Summer Music Award for his recordings, his second award. He’s won the Great American Song Contest, and flute playing competitions as well. He’s been nominated for a number of NAMMY’S, New Mexico Music Awards and broadcast industry awards.

Originally from southeastern New Mexico he’s lived a variety of places and now makes his home in Las Cruces. He’s the Master of Ceremonies and performs at the Dona Ana Arts Council Renaissance Artsfaire for three years now. He’s a sought after MC and headliner at major Native American other world music festivals including the Gathering of Nations, Sundance Film Festival, Casa Grande Ruins festival, Zion Canyon, White Sands full-moon concert series, Native Rhythms festival in Melbourne, FL, the Heard museum and dozens of solo concerts, house concerts and a variety of venues.

Unsure his Native American ancestry Granger decided to do several DNA tests to confirm. He discovered, like many from the southwest, he has Mestizo ancestry. More specifically the results revealed significant percentage of Mayan (Choltan), Apache, Athabaskan and even some Dogrib tribe. He’s gone on to research their practices, beliefs and way of life.

KRWG-TV picked him for their first Music Showcase series, which has gone on to become very popular. He’s appeared on several TV specials, talk shows and programs as well as countless radio interviews and in magazine, newspapers and online articles. His music is heard on stations around the world including the program “Hearts of Space,” Sirius Soundscapes, I Heart Radio, Pandora Radio and NPR and community stations worldwide. In 2007 National Public Radio’s All Things Considered featured his work on the Hang drum in a story called, “Like water over bells” which gained him immediate worldwide notoriety. His YouTube channel has over 1.7 million views and he enjoys several thousand followers online.

He has eight commercially released albums out which will be for sale at his show and said he will be happy to sign them. His music is also available at the major online retailers. Learn more at his website. RandyGranger.net.

The concert is scheduled for Saturday, November 19, @ 8:00PM, Randy performs on Native American and world flutes, the Hang from Switzerland, guitar, voice and world percussion. Concert goers have referred to his music as "transportive" and "healing" as well as "mesmerizing."

An award-winning recording and touring musician, Randy tours the U.S. headlining festivals, concerts, house concerts as well as teaching workshops on playing music and working with hospice, alzheimer's and dementia patients. Randy recently won the Indian Summer Music Award held in Milwaukee in September. He is of Mayan and Apache ancestry and native of New Mexico where he makes his home.

The Farm is an intentional community of families and friends living on three square miles in southern middle Tennessee celebrating their fourty-five year anniversary.

Venues where he’s performed include the Sundance Film Festival, The Rothko Chapel, The Heard Museum in Phoenix, Santa Fe Indian Market, Gathering of Nations, Indian Summer Festival as well as headlining Native American and World Music festivals. He’s also performed at White Sands National Monument, Zion National Park, Casa Grande Ruins and many other unique venues. His music is heard on Sirius Soundscapes, Hearts of Space, NPR, Pandora and stations around the world. PBS Television and NPR’s “All Things Considered” both have featured his music in specials. Several movies and documentaries have used his music as well.

His YouTube channel has over 1.7 million views. Learn more at www. forty.net

New Mexico musician Randy Granger brings his unique healing sounds to Chattanooga's Purple Sky Healing Arts. In concert Wednesday, November 16, @ 7:00PM, Randy performs on Native American and world flutes, handpans, guitar, voice and world percussion. Concert goers have referred to his music as "transportive" and "healing" as well as "mesmerizing."

A full-time touring and recording artist Randy is a minister and spiritual teacher leading meditation and drumming groups as well as speaking at Centers for Spiritual Living, Unity and UU houses of worship. He is a well respected member of the spiritual community where he lives in southern New Mexico. In 2014 he led a Spiritual Journey with forty-seven seekers to the sacred sites of Acoma Sky City and Canyon de Chelly where he led the group in meditation, drumming and Native spirituality. He performed a concert the final evening at the entrance of Canyon de Chelly.

Venues where he’s performed include the Sundance Film Festival, The Rothko Chapel, The Heard Museum in Phoenix, Santa Fe Indian Market, Gathering of Nations, Indian Summer Festival as well as headlining Native American and World Music festivals. He’s also performed at White Sands National Monument, Zion National Park, Casa Grande Ruins and many other unique venues. His music is heard on Sirius Soundscapes, Hearts of Space, NPR, Pandora and stations around the world. PBS Television and NPR’s “All Things Considered” both have featured his music in specials. Several movies and documentaries have used his music as well.

Randy has volunteered his music at Hospice since 2004 often playing for those actively making their transition. He travels the U.S. teaching others how to use music in specialized settings like hospice, assisted living and for those with dementia and alzheimer's. He is of Apache and Mayan ancestry and from a line of healers and seers.

Thursday, September 15th, 2016

So imagine if you can: Sitting in a natural amphitheater of glistening gypsum sand as day releases to dusk. The moon is glowing on the horizon, rising. Sounds of the Native American flute and drum, Handpan sounds ring out and bounce off the sand. Some 900-1700 souls join together singing "Hallelujah" wrapped in sarapes, on blankets taking in the setting. That's what my concerts at White Sands have been like. Come this Thursday! Only fee is entry to park. Pack and carload and a cooler.

Help us celebrate a very special year, the Centennial of the National Parks Service.

Alamogordo, NM – White Sands National Monument will continue the year-long celebration of the National Park Service Centennial with a full moon night concert featuring Native American flutist Randy Granger onSeptember 15 at 7 pm. In addition to the concert, the new White Sands Girl Scout patch will be unveiled in partnership with the Girl Scouts of the Desert Southwest Council.

White Sands National Monument: Native American Flutist Randy Granger will fill the moonlit night with his unique blend of instruments. Program is free starting at 7 p.m. For more information contact: Becky Burghart 479-6124 ext. 230

Native American musician Randy Granger presents another Full-Moon Concert as part of the White Sands National Monument Full Moon series. Coolers, blankets, chairs welcome.

Thursday, August 18th, 2016

Native American musician Randy Granger performs in concert at the Fred Oldfield Center in Pauyallup August 18th. He is on a five-state tour from Tacoma to Chicago. Granger is an award-winning recording artist from New Mexico with Mayan and Apache ancestry and is well established in the Native American music scene headlining many festivals across the U.S.

A multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter and storyteller he performs on Native American flutes and exotic percussion instruments like the Swedish Hang drum. A solo artist, Granger has performed with Grammy® winners R. Carlos Nakai and Robert Mirabal and many others.Venues where he’s performed include the Sundance Film Festival, White Sands National Monument, Gathering of Nations, Indian Summer Music Festival, Rothko Chapel, Zion Canyon, Casa Grande Ruins and numerous festivals, theaters, house concerts and houses of worship.

In 2007 National Public Radio’s All Things Considered profiled his music and work on the Hang drum. He has been profiled on PBS and commercial stations as well as many magazine, radio and newspaper articles.

Granger is an educator at many festivals, in workshops and with private students. He has volunteered his music at Hospice and Alzheimer’s, dementia and assisted living facilities for eleven years. He led a Spiritual Journey to Acoma Sky City and Canyon de Chelly with a busload of forty-five people in 2014 where he taught mediation, drumming and Native spirituality.

Native American musician Randy Granger performs in concert at the Fred Oldfied Center August 18th at 7:00PM. Doors Open at 6:00PM. He is on a five-state tour from Tacoma to Chicago. Granger is an award-winning recording artist from New Mexico with Mayan and Apache ancestry and is well established in the Native American music scene headlining many festivals across the U.S. The concert is by donation with a portion of the proceeds going to the Center.

Wednesday, August 17th, 2016

after dinner concert with Randy Granger in the Clubroom of Silver Glen Active Senior Community presents this award-winning Native American musician from New Mexico. Granger is on tour and this is one of his five performances in the Greater Tacoma area. He plays Native American and world flutes, world percussion, is a storyteller and volunteers his music at Hospice facilities.

This concert is open to the public and donations are greatly appreciated. Randy is a full-time musician who tours the US regularly. His recordings, 8 in the Native American/New Age genres, have garnered numerous awards, nominations and media attention. He has performed with Grammy winners like R. Carlos Nakai and Robert Mirabal.

Please come and join us for a very unique evening of music and culture.

Saturday, July 2nd, 2016

KILLING BUDDHA is the original play written by Theatre Dojo founder Algernon D'Ammassa with Randy Granger. Algernon and Randy portraying two homeless storytellers who eat, pray, sing, and tell the audience an ancient story from Buddhist folklore in which a very human Buddha encounters a serial killer. The story presents a difficult moral problem about forgiveness and redemption.

Thursday, June 30th, 2016

KILLING BUDDHA is the original play written by Theatre Dojo founder Algernon D'Ammassa with Randy Granger. Algernon and Randy portraying two homeless storytellers who eat, pray, sing, and tell the audience an ancient story from Buddhist folklore in which a very human Buddha encounters a serial killer. The story presents a difficult moral problem about forgiveness and redemption.

Sunday, June 26th, 2016

KILLING BUDDHA is the original play written by Theatre Dojo founder Algernon D'Ammassa with Randy Granger. Algernon and Randy portraying two homeless storytellers who eat, pray, sing, and tell the audience an ancient story from Buddhist folklore in which a very human Buddha encounters a serial killer. The story presents a difficult moral problem about forgiveness and redemption.

Saturday, June 25th, 2016

KILLING BUDDHA is the original play written by Theatre Dojo founder Algernon D'Ammassa with Randy Granger. Algernon and Randy portraying two homeless storytellers who eat, pray, sing, and tell the audience an ancient story from Buddhist folklore in which a very human Buddha encounters a serial killer. The story presents a difficult moral problem about forgiveness and redemption.

Friday, June 24th, 2016

KILLING BUDDHA is the original play written by Theatre Dojo founder Algernon D'Ammassa with Randy Granger. Algernon and Randy portraying two homeless storytellers who eat, pray, sing, and tell the audience an ancient story from Buddhist folklore in which a very human Buddha encounters a serial killer. The story presents a difficult moral problem about forgiveness and redemption.

KILLING BUDDHA is the original play written by Theatre Dojo founder Algernon D'Ammassa with Randy Granger. Algernon and Randy portraying two homeless storytellers who eat, pray, sing, and tell the audience an ancient story from Buddhist folklore in which a very human Buddha encounters a serial killer. The story presents a difficult moral problem about forgiveness and redemption.

Sunday, May 29th, 2016

Upcoming Sunday Programs

May 29, 2016

Adult and Youth Education programs at 9:45am

Sunday Service at 11:00 am

“Native American Wisdom: ‘Corn Mother,’ honoring the labor of ancestors” — A program about the Penobscot creation story of “Corn Mother” and its relevance to the world we’ve inherited and the world we are manifesting and leaving to future generations. Randy will tell this story with Native Drums and Native Flutes. Rev. Randy Granger is a Native American musician, spiritual teacher and speaker from Las Cruces, NM. He brings his Mayan/Apache ancestry to his music and teachings. In addition to leading Spiritual Journies to Acoma Sky City and Canyon de Chelly, he leads meditation groups, Ecstatic Dance and is a regular speaker at the Center for Spiritual Living in Las Cruces, NM.

Thursday, May 19th, 2016

"As a Continuing Care Retirement Community, Moosehaven offers independent living for seniors 65 years of age and older, and promotes an active lifestyle on a campus full of amenities and services. Moosehaven’s LifeCare Center provides all levels of health care."

Saturday, April 16th, 2016

The following day, Saturday, April 16, Theatre Dojo will present an outdoor performance at Deming's 1,000-seat stadium at Voiers "Pit" Park, at 300 N. Country Club Road across the street from Starmax.

The performance will begin at 2 p.m. General admission is $8. There will be chairs available, but patrons may also bring their own. Advance tickets are available at Readers' Cove Used Books and Gallery at 200 S. Copper Street in Deming. This performance is sponsored by Deming Zen Center.

D'Ammassa and Granger play mysterious, homeless storytellers who create the ancient world for an audience using storytelling, a few simple props, and an improvised musical accompaniment on a variety of musical instruments.

Friday, April 15th, 2016

Theatre Dojo, a touring "raw theatre" company based here in southern New Mexico, returns to Silver City and Deming in April to present their award-winning original play with music, “Killing Buddha,” written by Deming actor and director Algernon D'Ammassa with music by New Mexico native Randy Granger of Las Cruces.

The play premiered at the Great Salt Lake Fringe Festival in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 2015, where it was awarded the "Fringe Pick" festival prize.

Twana Sparks, who served as producer for Theatre Dojo's Silver City performance in 2014, will present this year’s Theatre Dojo performance at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 15, at the Besse Forward Global Resource Center on the campus of Western New Mexico University.

Admission is $10 or $5 for students with I.D. Advance tickets will be available beginning April 1 at the Curious Kumquat, 111 E. College Avenue.

Sunday, April 10th, 2016

Award winning Native American musician Randy Granger returns to the Hillsboro Community Center in beautiful and historic Hillsboro, New Mexico in the Gila wilderness Black Range. Always a record draw, Randy performs on Native American flutes, Handpan instruments like the Panart Hang, singer-songwriter guitar and voice. Also the 3-string Cigar Box Dobro guitar.

A full-time professional touring and recording musician, he is also a well respected storyteller of Native American stories.

Friday, April 1st, 2016

Randy Granger performs in the Courtyard of the Heard Museum from 6:30-9:30PM

There will be two educational pieces from local farmers and one from an arts collective (in an area adjacent to the courtyard) educating about how to plant, prepare and eat nopal and cholla; 15 local Vendors in the courtyard and artist demo by the Heard shop.

First Fridays at the Heard – “Locavore Fest”

Celebrate local Valley foods and other local offerings at our Locavore Fest! Experience great food and purchase from these businesses:

Wrap it Up – locally made jewelry

Raul’s Cocina – salsas and hot sauces

B-Naked Chocolates – vegan and sugar free confections

Hunny Sweet Treats – confections

Garden Goddess – raw fermented veggies

Nutwhats – toffees

Peanut Americano – gourmet peanut and almond butters

Gourmet Blends olive oils and spice mixes – two vendors

No Glutes About It – gluten-free local bakery

Quarter Circle — spice blends

Del Rio Springs — wine

Crows Dairy — goat cheese

Food 4 U — salsa, chili, sauce

LJ’s Gourmet Popcorn — caramel corn

Carranza Honey Farm — honey

Kelpie — seaweed snacks

Claudine’s Kitchen — Mediterranean food

From 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., the co-founders of the native ecology organizationDesertArtLAB – April Bojorquez and Matt Garcia – will conduct hands-on workshop in the Pritzlaff Courtyard about how to plant, grow and eat local desert flora.

Randy Granger

Also, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., enjoy music in our Central Courtyard by “Southwest World” musician Randy Granger, right. His multi-instrument array includes Native flutes and world flutes, handpans, world percussion, guitar and voice.

See the Heard’s exhibits – admission to our galleries is free each First Friday evening except March – and starting at 8 p.m., shop for art from future master Native artists at the public opening of the American Indian Student Art Show and Sale!

The Café and Cantina are open for dining, drinks or snacks, and a cash bar is also available for both adult and family-friendly beverages. And, until 8 p.m., don’t forget to visit the Heard Museum Shop, Bruce McGee’s Collector’s Room and Books & More!

As on each First Friday evening, enjoy free admission to the Heard’s galleries, including the Lincoln Gallery, where you’ll find theConfluence: Inter-generational Collaborationsexhibit. The exhibit, which features co-created art by young artists ages 16-20 and their mentors, closes April 17.

Friday, November 27th, 2015

Randy Granger, Native American musician, performs at The Farm in the Integrity House @8PM in a special Thanksgiving concert, Nov. 27th.

A full-tme “Southwest World” musician Randy Granger is a multi-instrumentalist, educator and recording artist from Las Cruces, New Mexico. An award-winning musician Granger performs around the US at festivals, House Concerts, Yoga/Meditation studios, theaters, places of worship. His unique instruments include Native American and world flutes, Handpans, world percussion, guitar and voice. Audiences across the U.S. say they are transported to the canyons of the southwest when hearing his music. Many mention the healing qualities and a deep peaceful feeling with Granger’s performances and recorded music.

Venues where he’s performed include the Sundance Film Festival, The Rothko Chapel, Santa Fe Indian Market, Gathering of Nations, Indian Summer Festival as well as Native American and World Music festivals, White Sands National monument, Casa Grande Ruins, Gila Cliff Dwellings, Yosemite Music Festival, Flutequest in Tacoma, Native Rhythms in Florida and many more.

His music is heard on Sirius Soundscapes, "Hearts of Space," NPR, Pandora and stations around the world. PBS Television and NPR’s “All Things Considered” both have featured his music in specials. Several movies and documentaries have used his music as well. Granger is a long-time volunteer at Hospice and Assisted Living facilities where he plays his music. Granger is a native of New Mexico and of Mayan (Choltan) and Apache ancestry as well as Mestizo. He is a spiritual teacher, ordained Minister and leads weekly meditation groups and spiritual journeys to sacred Native American sits, as well as a licensed Massage Therapist. Learn more at www.randygranger.net

Randy is on a month-long tour of the southeast. Donations accepted and CD's will be avaialbe for sale.

The Farm:The Farm is an intentional community of families and friends living on three square miles in southern middle Tennessee.

We started The Farm in 1971 with the goal of establishing a strongly cohesive, outwardly-directed community.

We want, by action and example, to have a positive effect on the world.

Over the last 40+ years, The Farm has become well known for many things, from natural childbirth and midwifery to healthy diet and vegetarian cuisine, creative arts and alternative technologies to its partnerships and assistance to native cultures.

We choose to live in community where we share our lives and fortunes, good times and hard times. We feel that we can be stronger and more useful together than we could be separately. http://thefarmcommunity.com/

Friday, November 20th, 2015

Neuse River Flute Circle welcomes back New Mexico Southwest World musician and multi-instrumentalist, Randy Granger! Earthy and contemporary with a unique, mystical Southwest World vibe, Randy is an award-winning Native American flutist, composer, recording artist, world percussionist, and songwriter. World class touring recording artist heard on SIRIUS Soundscapes, Pandora, Hearts of Space and stations/podcasts worldwide. A native of New Mexico, his Southwest World sound is a healing, rich blend of ancient and modern. His music is heard around the world on NPR stations, Hearts of Space, Pandora, Sirius Soundscapes and many more. He performs and headlines festivals around the US and has performed and recorded with the top players in his genre including R. Carlos Nakai and Coyote Oldman. NPR and PBS Television have both featured Granger's music and career and he is a frequent guest on Public Radio Stations and Podcasts. The Sundance Film festival, The Gathering of Nations, the Rothko Chapel, World Flute Society, Native Rhythms Festival, and the Yosemite World Music fest are just a few of the many venues where Granger has performed. A large YouTube, Twitter and Facebook following support his writings, cooking posts and blog,This Musician's Life.

This intimate house concert will be hosted at the home of Mara Cohen, 304 Morganford Place, Cary. Tickets are $15 in advance, seating is limited to 20, so please purchase a ticket by contacting Dawn Leith-Dougherty at dawn@treeoflifedesigns or through a Facebook message. BYOB beer and wine welcome.

Fall officially began in late September, and this weekend, the community of Hooker, Okla., is welcoming the season with open arms with its first ever Fall Festival.

Coordinator Buddy Holbert said the fun begins Friday evening and runs through most of Saturday.

“We have a barbecue contest starting Friday evening, and it’ll run through Saturday,” he said. “We’ll also have a kids’ barbecue contest Friday night. We have Randy Granger, who is a Native American flutist, playing Friday evening and Kaitlin Butts, a country singer, playing Friday evening. We have a free hamburger and hot dog feed all Friday evening starting around 5.”

Miss Kansas 2015 and Miss Oklahoma Latina will also be in town for some of the festivities.

“Saturday, Miss Kansas will be here for a few hours,” Holbert said. “She will be at the high school about 11 o’clock in the morning in the auditorium. She will be at Lindsey’s Boutique for a couple of hours. We have Miss Oklahoma Latina.”

Holbert said Miss Oklahoma Latina will have a similar schedule to Miss Oklahoma, with one exception.

“She will be at Mills Ideal, which is where she’s going to be most of the time,” he said. “We’ll have the De Maria dancers from Hooker and the Folklorica dancers from Guymon. Randy Granger will be playing again on that Saturday.”

For those with an appetite, the Fall Festival also has the “Smokin’ Hot BBQ Championship,” which starts at 5 p.m. Friday and is opened to anyone.

“The International Barbecue Association cookoff rules apply, and they’re online at hookeroklahoma.net,” Holbert said. “Anybody can enter it. There’s $4,000 in prize money in a total of four categories, which is beef brisket, chicken, pulled pork and ribs. There’ll be prizes for each. Judging will start about noon on Saturday and run till 3 o’clock, and by 4 o’clock, we should have a winner.”

The fun does not stop there, though. Also joining the Fall Festival is a square dance group from Perryton, Texas, giving demonstrations and interacting with the crowd.

Holbert said this and more will make coming to Hooker this weekend well worth the trip.

“We have country music,” he said. “We have different styles of music. We have classic rock. We will also be doing a jalapeno eating contest. It’s $150 to the winner. We also have vendors from all over the Five State are that will be here at an arts and craft show selling their goods.”

Holbert said though this is the first year of the Fall Festival, expectations are still high, giving organizers hopes for even bigger future editions of the event.

“We’re hoping to draw people from the Five State area to come and see what Hooker has to offer and join in some of our activities and just have a good time and promote the cookoff and our local businesses,” he said.

Fall officially began in late September, and this weekend, the community of Hooker, Okla., is welcoming the season with open arms with its first ever Fall Festival.

Coordinator Buddy Holbert said the fun begins Friday evening and runs through most of Saturday.

“We have a barbecue contest starting Friday evening, and it’ll run through Saturday,” he said. “We’ll also have a kids’ barbecue contest Friday night. We have Randy Granger, who is a Native American flutist, playing Friday evening and Kaitlin Butts, a country singer, playing Friday evening. We have a free hamburger and hot dog feed all Friday evening starting around 5.”

Miss Kansas 2015 and Miss Oklahoma Latina will also be in town for some of the festivities.

“Saturday, Miss Kansas will be here for a few hours,” Holbert said. “She will be at the high school about 11 o’clock in the morning in the auditorium. She will be at Lindsey’s Boutique for a couple of hours. We have Miss Oklahoma Latina.”

Holbert said Miss Oklahoma Latina will have a similar schedule to Miss Oklahoma, with one exception.

“She will be at Mills Ideal, which is where she’s going to be most of the time,” he said. “We’ll have the De Maria dancers from Hooker and the Folklorica dancers from Guymon. Randy Granger will be playing again on that Saturday.”

For those with an appetite, the Fall Festival also has the “Smokin’ Hot BBQ Championship,” which starts at 5 p.m. Friday and is opened to anyone.

“The International Barbecue Association cookoff rules apply, and they’re online at hookeroklahoma.net,” Holbert said. “Anybody can enter it. There’s $4,000 in prize money in a total of four categories, which is beef brisket, chicken, pulled pork and ribs. There’ll be prizes for each. Judging will start about noon on Saturday and run till 3 o’clock, and by 4 o’clock, we should have a winner.”

The fun does not stop there, though. Also joining the Fall Festival is a square dance group from Perryton, Texas, giving demonstrations and interacting with the crowd.

Holbert said this and more will make coming to Hooker this weekend well worth the trip.

“We have country music,” he said. “We have different styles of music. We have classic rock. We will also be doing a jalapeno eating contest. It’s $150 to the winner. We also have vendors from all over the Five State are that will be here at an arts and craft show selling their goods.”

Holbert said though this is the first year of the Fall Festival, expectations are still high, giving organizers hopes for even bigger future editions of the event.

“We’re hoping to draw people from the Five State area to come and see what Hooker hasto offer and join in some of our activities and just have a good time and promote the cookoff and our local businesses,” he said.

Saturday, October 10th, 2015

You are invited to a reception honoring the opening of the Greg’s Texas Collection 2015 Museum Tour showing at the Hall Center for the Arts on the campus of Howard College.

October 10, 20155pm to 7pmHall Center for the Arts on the Campus of Howard College1001 Birdwell LaneBig Spring TX

Refreshments provided by the Howard College Art DepartmentMusic provided by award winning Native American recording artist Randy GrangerNo admission will be chargedThe Greg’s Texas Collection is a collection of art quality photographs on the topic of Texas history and Texas culture by travel and tourism photographers Greg and Toni Bodin while on their quest to photograph every historical marker in the State of Texas.

Prints will be on display from October 10, 2015 – January 29, 2016Framed works will be on sale and the profits benefit the Hall CenterPrints may be picked up January 30, 2016 or special arrangements for early pick up may be made in certain circumstances

Thursday, August 27th, 2015

An evening to celebrate art will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.Thursday, Aug. 27, in building DAEM at the East Mesa Campus in the mezzanine of the Dona Ana Community College President’s office. Light snacks. Music by Randy Granger throughout the evening.

Donations of artworks from the Royce Marin Rein estate will be unveiled and several will be available as part of a silent auction to benefit the DACC Art Collection Endowment (the attached artworks will be for sale). The donation of artwork by the Rein estate by Michael Peacock to the DACC permanent art collection features 67 paintings, drawings, paper-cut collages, mobiles and lithographs that span the breadth of his career.

During the event there will be tours of the artwork at the East Mesa Campus.

The DACC permanent art collection has more than 250 original artworks and limited edition prints donated by artists and patrons over the past 10 years. The collection includes representational, abstract andnon-objective artworks in various media.

In 2014, an endowment was established within the New Mexico State University Foundation to support the continued acquisition, preparationand conservation of the art. Several suites of works representing the careers of notable artists, John Moffitt, Bill Gambling and Royce Marin Rein are included in the DACC collection.

For more information contact Michael Stewart at 575-527-7582 or GlennSchwaiger at 575-527-7752.

Flute Quest is the largest Native American Flute Festival in the Northwest. Adults and children interested in the history and culture surrounding the Native American flute or wanting to learn how to play the Native American Flute are welcome. The festival features beginner through advanced workshops, flute and drum circles, flute and drum vendors and live music on the Festival Stage and features a great line up of recording artists.

Inspired by an ancient Buddhist folktale, "KILLING BUDDHA" is an original play in which two homeless storytellers explore the nature of violence and limits of forgiveness.

The Great Salt Lake Fringe Festival will mark the first public viewing of an original work in development by Theatre Dojo, written by Algernon D'Ammassa and scored with improvisational music by Randy Granger. Algernon and Randy have previously toured together performing AN ILIAD.

Our venue will be at the Fringe Factory's Foundry space (address details will follow), and show times are as follows:

2234 Highland Drive, Salt Lake City, UT

Thursday, August 6 at 6:00 PMFriday, August 7 at 3:00 PMSaturday, August 8 at 6:00 PMSunday, August 9 at 9:00 PM

Inspired by an ancient Buddhist folktale, "KILLING BUDDHA" is an original play in which two homeless storytellers explore the nature of violence and limits of forgiveness.

The Great Salt Lake Fringe Festival will mark the first public viewing of an original work in development by Theatre Dojo, written by Algernon D'Ammassa and scored with improvisational music by Randy Granger. Algernon and Randy have previously toured together performing AN ILIAD.

Our venue will be at the Fringe Factory's Foundry space (address details will follow), and show times are as follows:

2234 Highland Drive, Salt Lake City, UT

Thursday, August 6 at 6:00 PMFriday, August 7 at 3:00 PMSaturday, August 8 at 6:00 PMSunday, August 9 at 9:00 PM

Inspired by an ancient Buddhist folktale, "KILLING BUDDHA" is an original play in which two homeless storytellers explore the nature of violence and limits of forgiveness.

The Great Salt Lake Fringe Festival will mark the first public viewing of an original work in development by Theatre Dojo, written by Algernon D'Ammassa and scored with improvisational music by Randy Granger. Algernon and Randy have previously toured together performing AN ILIAD.

Our venue will be at the Fringe Factory's Foundry space (address details will follow), and show times are as follows:

2234 Highland Drive, Salt Lake City, UT

Thursday, August 6 at 6:00 PMFriday, August 7 at 3:00 PMSaturday, August 8 at 6:00 PMSunday, August 9 at 9:00 PM

Inspired by an ancient Buddhist folktale, "KILLING BUDDHA" is an original play in which two homeless storytellers explore the nature of violence and limits of forgiveness.

The Great Salt Lake Fringe Festival will mark the first public viewing of an original work in development by Theatre Dojo, written by Algernon D'Ammassa and scored with improvisational music by Randy Granger. Algernon and Randy have previously toured together performing AN ILIAD.

Our venue will be at the Fringe Factory's Foundry space (address details will follow), and show times are as follows:

2234 Highland Drive, Salt Lake City, UT

Thursday, August 6 at 6:00 PM Friday, August 7 at 3:00 PM Saturday, August 8 at 6:00 PM Sunday, August 9 at 9:00 PM

The concert is by “Goodwill Donation” which goes to the artist. Don’t miss this as it will be another magical evening atop the Sunbridges Ridge.

Thank you to Kevin and Kristel Mayberry for hosting their lovely loess hills home.

Directions:

I-29 south to Glenwood, Exit East on US 34 for 4 miles (continue on ¼ miles east of the Glenwood exit)

Turn right onto Levi Rd, Head south on Levi 2.5 miles to Mahaffey Road.

Turn Left onto Masters Rd. and only 9/10ths of a mile East on Masters.

Look for Blue Balloons and 24475 blue 911 Marker on the Right side of the road. Turn Right, go through field, up through the forest to the top of the hill. Concert is behind the cabin to your Right as you park.

Thursday, July 30th, 2015

Home of Jeanne and Mark West Des Moines. E-mail jeanlyle@mchsi.com for info, address and to reserve. Reservations required. Thanks!

July 30th, 7PM

Longtime professional musician extraordinaire, Randy Granger will be back to entertain and touch our hearts with his considerable musical gifts. Please, bring a donation of $10 and some extra cash to buy CDs. We will have complementary refreshments, too.

Award winning composer and recording artist Randy Granger

returns to UUWC Sunday, July 26th at 11am

Hypnotically interweaving storytelling, laughter, exotic instruments and his distinctive voice, Granger’s unique sound and energy have been featured in film, at National Monuments, Sundance Film Festival, International Native American and World Flute Festival, Santa Fe Indian Market and The Gathering of Nations. He has collaborated with R. Carlos Nakai, Coyote Oldman, and Peter Phippen. His music can be heard on Music from the Hearts of Space, Sirius, other stations worldwide. NPR’s All Things Considered profiled Granger and his rare Hang in a feature called Like Water Over Bells, and New Mexico Magazine calls Granger’s music, “Richly layered with the sounds of a variety of flutes and percussion instruments…[offering] more depth than some flute solo recordings you might find.”

A Las Cruces resident, Granger has composed for multi-media art shows and the NMSU Dance Department. Awards include the Indian Summer Music Award, New Mexico Music Industry Awards and two Native American Music Awards nominations. A 2012 project, Strong Medicine: Love in Cancer, reflects his ongoing commitment to providing soothing music to hospice patients.

Join us on a spirit renewing magical journey with Randy Granger when award winning composer and recording artist Randy Granger returns to UUWC Sunday, July 26th at 11am.

Saturday, July 18th, 2015

Join us for an evening of Native American/World music in support of the St. Andrew's Hospitality House.

The unique sound and energy of Granger’s live performances have earned him headline status at many Native American and World music festivals around the U.S. His YouTube channel has over 1.5 million views. He’s been nominated for and won many awards including the Indian Summer Music Awards, Native American Music Awards, New Mexico Music Industry Awards, US Songwriting Competition, and many others. His music is used by professional dance companies, wrbsites, commercials, films, and documentaries. He can be heard on Sirius Radio’s Mystic Soundscapes, Pandora Radio, and NativeRadio.com.

The Acoustic Concert Series at St. Andrew's provides family-friendly music in a family-friendly atmosphere.

Tickets are $10/adult, $8/student, children 10 and under get in free. Four-packs of tickets may be purchased for $30.

The St. Andrew's Hospitality House is a non-profit venture to provide short-term housing for families with relatives in the hospital in Las Cruces who do not have the means to stay in a hotel.

For more information, please contact Sharon Nelson at 575-323-0766 or St. Andrew's Episcopal Church at 575-526-6333.

Wednesday, June 10th, 2015

Wine Down Wednesday: 5:30-8 PM on the Patio. June 10 Come out and experience the new Heart of the Desert patio. Enjoy live music, wine paired appetizers and of course your favorite Heart of the Desert wines. $10 admission includes music and food. Drinks are additional. Entertainment by: Randy Granger - N

Native American musician Randy Granger will present an evening of his original, spiritually tinged music May 30th at the Rio Grande Center for Spiritual Living, (RGCSL), 4374 Alexander Blvd NE in Albuquerque. He will feature music from his newest commercial release, Ancient Grace, an album of solo Native American flute music. Granger recorded Ancient Grace at the request of his fans asking for an instrumental album they could use for meditation, healing, yoga and massage. In fact music from Ancient Grace is nominated for a 2015 New Mexico Music Award and is currently in rotation on stations worldwide.

Granger is a multi-instrumentalist, composer and singer-songwriter who performs all the instruments on his records including guest musicians occasionally in the studio and on stage. A full-time musician, he tours and headlines festivals across the U.S. NPR’s All Things Considered featured him in a piece called “Like water over bells” highlighting his work on an ethereal, steel pan type instrument called the Hang. The Music Mexico Music Commission and PBS’s have both featured his story and music in aired specials. Granger is a frequent in-studio guest on radio and the subject of many articles.

In July 2014 he led a “Spiritual Journey” to Acoma Sky City and Canyon de Chelly with a finale concert. A meditation and spiritual teacher as well as an ordained minister, he is a regular guest speaker at many spiritual houses and churches. Granger has been a volunteer musician at Hospice for over ten years. He also plays at Alzheimer, dementia and assisted living facilities regularly. He added the Native American flute to his music in 2004 wanting to use flute music in his massage therapy practice. He’s been a licensed masseur since 1991.

Granger is an Indian Summer Music Award winner, New Mexico Music Award winner, Great American Song Award, multiple NAMMY nominee and twice nominated for a Zone Music Reporter award for best Native American album by the broadcast industry. He has performed at the Sundance Film Festival, Gathering of Nations, Native Rhythms, Zion Canyon, White Sands and many sold out shows across the country. His White Sands full-moon concerts have drawn between 1400 and 1800 attendees. Nearly the record for that venue.

Sunday, March 22nd, 2015

Randy Granger returns to the beautiful and historic Hillsboro Community Center at the gateway to the Gila Wilderness. Native and world flutes, the ethereal Panart Hang, singer-songwriter, healer and storyteller. www.randygranger.net

The Black Box Theatre in downtown Las Cruces, in association with Theatre Dojo, welcomes a return of the touring southwestern premiere of the highly acclaimed Obie award-winning adaptation of Homer’s *Iliad, *a play the *New York Times* called “spellbinding…an age-old story that resonates with tragic meaning today.” Based on Robert Fagles’s translation of Homer’s epic, this modern play retells the ancient tale of gods, goddesses, warriors and their families, and the endless battles of human history with a gripping, modern voice. The production, which opened at the Black Box in February of 2014, will return for two performances at the Black Box Theatre. The shows will be February 28 at 8:00 PM, and a Sunday matinee on March 1 at 2:30 PM. Admission will be $12 for adults and $10 for seniors over 65 or students with I.D.

*An Iliad* opens on an empty stage with the entrance of a strange, apparently homeless man with a beat-up suitcase. He begins to sing in ancient Greek, a song seemingly as old as humanity, and a song he has been singing for a very long time. He has difficulty remembering all of the words and names, but the stories possess him and we see it is his destiny to tell this tale – and ours, to live it, generation after generation.

This new production of *An Iliad *brings together two accomplished artists from the Las Cruces area in a collaboration of storytelling and music. AlgernonD’Ammassa plays the role of the Poet with music improvised by celebrated musician Randy Granger on a variety of instruments. The presence of live music harkens to an ancient tradition wherein traveling poets would accompany themselves on a lyre.

Algernon D’Ammassa is a theatrical actor who has also appeared on film and television. He trained professionally at the Trinity Repertory Company in Providence, Rhode Island and has traveled all over the United States and to Europe as a performer and teacher. In 2006, he founded Theatre Dojo in Los Angeles, California as a multi-disciplinary community combining yoga, meditation, and martial arts with the performing arts. Since 2011, he has worked regularly with the No Strings Theatre Company of Las Cruces, and he teaches at the Creative Media Institute at New Mexico State University.

Randy Granger is a native New Mexican of indigenous ancestry. He is a master of various instruments, combining Native American flute with musical traditions encompassing rock, jazz, mariachi, and more. Based in Las Cruces, he tours the United States as a solo musician and teacher.

Reservations can be made by calling the Black Box Theatre at (575) 523-1223 or visiting www.no-strings.org.

For more information on the tour, a Facebook page has been established at www.facebook.com/theatredojous.

The Black Box Theatre in downtown Las Cruces, in association with Theatre Dojo, welcomes a return of the touring southwestern premiere of the highly acclaimed Obie award-winning adaptation of Homer’s *Iliad, *a play the *New York Times* called “spellbinding…an age-old story that resonates with tragic meaning today.” Based on Robert Fagles’s translation of Homer’s epic, this modern play retells the ancient tale of gods, goddesses, warriors and their families, and the endless battles of human history with a gripping, modern voice. The production, which opened at the Black Box in February of 2014, will return for two performances at the Black Box Theatre. The shows will be February 28 at 8:00 PM, and a Sunday matinee on March 1 at 2:30 PM. Admission will be $12 for adults and $10 for seniors over 65 or students with I.D.

*An Iliad* opens on an empty stage with the entrance of a strange, apparently homeless man with a beat-up suitcase. He begins to sing in ancient Greek, a song seemingly as old as humanity, and a song he has been singing for a very long time. He has difficulty remembering all of the words and names, but the stories possess him and we see it is his destiny to tell this tale – and ours, to live it, generation after generation.

This new production of *An Iliad *brings together two accomplished artists from the Las Cruces area in a collaboration of storytelling and music. AlgernonD’Ammassa plays the role of the Poet with music improvised by celebrated musician Randy Granger on a variety of instruments. The presence of live music harkens to an ancient tradition wherein traveling poets would accompany themselves on a lyre.

Algernon D’Ammassa is a theatrical actor who has also appeared on film and television. He trained professionally at the Trinity Repertory Company in Providence, Rhode Island and has traveled all over the United States and to Europe as a performer and teacher. In 2006, he founded Theatre Dojo in Los Angeles, California as a multi-disciplinary community combining yoga, meditation, and martial arts with the performing arts. Since 2011, he has worked regularly with the No Strings Theatre Company of Las Cruces, and he teaches at the Creative Media Institute at New Mexico State University.

Randy Granger is a native New Mexican of indigenous ancestry. He is a master of various instruments, combining Native American flute with musical traditions encompassing rock, jazz, mariachi, and more. Based in Las Cruces, he tours the United States as a solo musician and teacher.

Reservations can be made by calling the Black Box Theatre at (575) 523-1223 or visiting www.no-strings.org.

For more information on the tour, a Facebook page has been established at www.facebook.com/theatredojous.

Friday, January 16th, 2015

Arbors of Del Rey Dementia CareArbors of Del Rey is a memory care provider in Las Cruces, NM. Staff are on service 24 hours a day. There are activities appropriate for seniors with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia that help keep residents active and engaged. At Arbors of Del Rey, you can rest assured because nurse is on staff and a doctor is on call. Devotional services are provided to residents.

Sunday, September 28th, 2014

By Denis O'Hare and Lisa Peterson, based on Homer's Iliad as translated by Robert Fagles.

In this Obie-winning adaptation, one actor and one musician interpret this enduring tale of gods, love, rage, and war for today's audience.

The role of the Poet will be played by Algernon D'Ammassa, with original music played live by acclaimed musician Randy Granger.

This performance will take place in Deming's beautiful outdoor theatre at Voiers Park, on Country Club road north of Pine, across the street from the Starmax cinema! **Please bring lawn chair or your choice of cushion!**

The performance will commence at 2:00 PM. This is an afternoon show performed outdoors in the sunlight. The seating area is covered, so there will be shade for you -- but sunscreen is still recommended.

Admission: $10 ($8 for students and seniors)

For more information call (575) 545-7613. Reservations are not necessary, as the theatre seats 1,000. The theatre will open between 1:00 and 1:30 so patrons can select their seating and set up chairs

Come enjoy the music of award winning Southwest multi-instrumentalist Randy Granger at the beautiful historical Springville Museum of Art. Let Randy take you on a sound journey including native flutes, Hang, guitar, world percussion and voice.

Seating is limited, reserve early! This is a free event (donations gladly accepted).

Three musical instruments will be donated by local flute maker Frank Harter of Raven Wing Flutes to be raffled off at the conclusion of Randy's Utah Tour. You are automatically entered to win when you purchase a ticket. The instruments will be:-1 Native American Style flute-1 Transverse flute (tuning hasn't been determined yet)-1 Cigar Box Guitar

Contact Frank Harter at ravenwingflutes@gmail.com for more information.

Contact Frank at ravenwingflutes@gmail.com or 801-787-8272 for additional info.

Friday, September 19th, 2014

Come enjoy the music of award-winning artist Randy Granger in an intimate setting at the home of David and Kendalyn. Let Randy take you on a sound journey including native flutes, Hang, guitar, world percussion and voice.

Three musical instruments will be donated by local flute maker Frank Harter of Raven Wing Flutes to be raffled off at the conclusion of Randy's Utah Tour. You are automatically entered to win when you purchase a ticket. The instruments will be:-1 Native American Style flute-1 Transverse flute (tuning hasn't been determined yet)-1 Cigar Box Guitar

Beautiful Park City provides the perfect background for an evening with award-winning Southwest musician Randy Granger. Let Randy take you on a sound journey including native flutes, Hang, guitar, world percussion and voice.

Three musical instruments will be donated by local flute maker Frank Harter of Raven Wing Flutes to be raffled off at the conclusion of Randy's Utah Tour. You are automatically entered to win when you purchase a ticket. The instruments will be:-1 Native American Style flute-1 Transverse flute (tuning hasn't been determined yet)-1 Cigar Box Guitar

Southwest award-winning musician Randy Granger takes us on a sound healing journey at The Yoga Center, including native flutes, Hang, guitar, world percussion and voice. This is Randy's first appearance in Utah, don't miss it!

Three musical instruments will be donated by local flute maker Frank Harter of Raven Wing Flutes to be raffled off at the conclusion of Randy's Utah Tour. You are automatically entered to win when you purchase a ticket. The instruments will be:-1 Native American Style flute-1 Transverse flute (tuning hasn't been determined yet)-1 Cigar Box Guitar

To reserve Workshop space and inquire about ticket price contact Frank at ravenwingflutes@gmail.com or 801-787-8272

Stretching across 115 square miles of the largest gypsum dune field in the world is White Sands National Monument, a glistening white jewel in the crown of southern New Mexico. There may be no more ethereal, otherwordly sight than the slow ascent of a full summer moon over the rolling, wave-like white gypsum dunes.

To complement this singular, southern New Mexico splendor, beginning at 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 14, and returning monthly to coincide with the lunar cycle, White Sands National Monument presents its annual Full Moon Nights, a series of educational and entertaining programs taking place at the park’s amphitheater on its most beautiful nights of the year, timed to take place with the rising of the moon.

White Sands National Monument visual information specialist Tara Cuvelier said the Full Moon Nights program began as, simply, “a way to get people out to experience the dunes, especially during the full moon.”

The monthly program, which Cuvelier said is balanced between three music and entertainment nights and three educational nights, provides a fantastic reason to get the whole family together for an evening in one of southern New Mexico’s most enchanting places.

This year, the program kicks off Wednesday, May 14, with “Skins, Skulls & Scat: The Past and Present Animals of White Sands.” Ranger Robin Milne will lead the interactive presentation diving deep into the secret lives of those creatures who’ve called the endless gypsum dunes home, both past and present. Pelts and skull replicas will provide an up-close look at the elusive fauna that has populated the region dating back thousands of years.

At 8:30 p.m. Thursday, June 12, Shock Action, the 1st Armored Division’s Band, will bring to the amphitheater stage its unique blend of music ranging from classic and alternative rock, hip-hop, R&B and country. The band has performed throughout southern New Mexico and southwest Texas extensively, as well as performing for its fellow brothers in arms abroad during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

“The happiest mariachi in the Southwest,” Mariachi Fuego del Sol, will perform at this year’s third Full Moon Night, at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, July 12. The nine-person band was formed last year, and in its short existence has garnered awards from Western New Mexico University and the League of United Latin American Citizens Counsel.

On Sunday, Aug. 10, Native American flutist Randy Granger will bring his unique blend of traditional instruments and melodies to the moonlit night.

Returning this year for his fourth Full Moon Nights performance, Granger said he’s looking forward to this year’s event, on the heels of his third, successful show at the White Sands amphitheater last year – and two previous complicated by forces of nature.

His first, he said, near the close of the season several years ago, was beset by unseasonably cold and windy weather, but still he played on, performing in the parking lot for those huddled in blankets and parkas, from atop a stack of wooden pallets – “classic New Mexico,” he said.

His second, the following year, this time in the middle of summer, Granger was three songs in to his set when a bolt of lightning struck just two dunes over. Undaunted, he played unplugged and acoustic in the visitors center, continuing on through a power outage that darkened the building.

Both, Granger said, turned out to be unique and intimate shows, despite the weather.

For Granger, the third time turned out to be the charm. With more than 1,500 in attendance, Granger began his set, pausing briefly to glance up at the horizon and the rising full moon.

“At one point, I looked up and saw the moon coming up over the dunes, huge and orange and giant,” he said. “Then, I looked out and saw the silhouette of people dancing, and it does not get better than that. It was just magical; thank you wind gods, thank you rain gods. For those two hours, it all kind of clicked and came together.”

Blending the entertaining with the educational, the Monday, Sept. 8, Full Moon Nights program will welcome New Mexican flute player, musician and storyteller Ernie Dogwolf Lovato to the open-air amphitheater. Lovato, who comes from an Apache and Spanish-European lineage, will share with young and old alike a night full of enchanting stories, songs and music.

The 2014 Full Moon Nights series closes Wednesday, Oct. 8, with “RarAmuri: The Foot Runners of the Sierra Madre,” presented by Diana Molina. RarAmuri, the Uto-Aztecan word for Tarahumara, are widely regarded as among the best runners in the world, their skills honed traveling the canyon walls and mountains of the Sierra Madre Occidental, located in the northern part of the state.

Made possible through a partnership with the New Mexico Humanities Council, Molina will complement her personal narrative with anthropological, ethnographic and scientific research, discussing the impact of modern society on the RarAmuri lifestyle and displaying stunning photographs of their canyon environment.

White Sands National Park’s Full Moon Nights programs are open to the public and are free with standard monument fee of $3 per person age 16 and older. Events are weather­permitting, and will not be rescheduled in the case of inclement weather. For more information, visit www.nps.gov.whsa or call 479-6124.

Sunday, May 11th, 2014

This Week: May 11th, 2014:

"The Rhythm of Peace & Living in the Now"

Speaker:

Reverend Randy Granger

Reverend Randy Granger is an ordained minister with the Universal Life Seminaries, a motivational speaker, educator, workshop leader, professional musician and licensed massage therapist. Of Native American ancestry Randy lives in Las Cruces, NM. He is also practices Science of Mind teachings, Zen meditation and sound healing. Please join us this Sunday for what is sure to be an inspiring service!

Award-winning recording artist Randy Granger presents an intimate concert at Apple Mountain Music in Albuquerque's heights. A great music store and setting for amazing concerts of all varieties. http://www.applemtnmusic.com/

Granger performs on a variety of Native American and World Flutes, world percussion and hand pan instruments like the Panart hang. Granger is a noted singer songwriter as well as entertaining and gifted storyteller.

You won't want to miss this chance to hear him in a close up and personal performance.

For tickets call Debra at (505) 237-2048

tickets are $20 at the door but seating is limited so call today to reserve.

http://www.randygranger.net/

http:youtube.com/user/lonegranger

Award-winning recording artist Randy Granger presents an intimate concert at Apple Mountain Music in Albuquerque's heights. A great music store and setting for amazing concerts of all varieties. http://www.applemtnmusic.com/

Granger performs on a variety of Native American and World Flutes, world percussion and hand pan instruments like the Panart hang. Granger is a noted singer songwriter as well as entertaining and gifted storyteller.

You won't want to miss this chance to hear him in a close up and personal performance.

For tickets call Debra at (505) 237-2048 tickets are $20 at the door but seating is limited so call today to reserve.

Saturday, April 12th, 2014

The finale will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Kent Hall University Museum Saturday, April 12. There will be a Native American Arts and Crafts Expo featuring wares from throughout the state and will feature Randy Granger, a flute and drum performer. Indian tacos and fry bread will be for sale for those who did not attend the demonstration.

The events are brought in part by the Associated Students of New Mexico State University.

For more information visit, http://aip.nmsu.edu/current-students/american-indian-week/

A Las Cruces-based poet, stage actor, sometimes TV actor, and college professor has joined forces with an award-winning Native-American flutist, composer, recording artist and songwriter, to bring to life the 2012 Obie Award-Winning play, An Iliad, based on Homer’s The Iliad, and created by Lisa Peterson and Denis O’Hare.

The show, designed as a traveling show, debuted in Las Cruces and is now coming to El Paso for two nights only. The show runs next Friday and Saturday, March 28th and March 29th, at 8PM at the Glasbox [2309 E. Mills Ave. 79901]. Call 575.545.7613 for reservations and more info.

We have an exclusive Diez Cu Interview with the very same poet and flutist of the show, Algernon D’Ammassa and Randy Granger, respectively. Check out a short teaser video of the show here, the flyer here, and read the interview below.*** LAA: How did you hear of the original An Iliad production?AD: For awhile I was looking for a show that I could pack into my Honda Civic and take on the road and found that most of the one-man plays I was reading weren’t very good or weren’t to my liking. And, then, I came across this script by Lisa Peterson and Denis O’Hare and it spoke to everything I wanted to do as an artist. And, it fits into my Honda Civic!

LAA: How did your version of this production come together? AD: I knew this play had been performed with a cellist accompanying the actor and a musical score was even written for it. But, as I read it, I kept hearing flutes as well as other instruments and thought it would be cool if the musician had a life of his or her own. Improvising accompaniment that augmented the story as the musician felt was right.

Someone suggested Randy Granger and I knew about him already and thought, “He would be great if he wants to do it.” Randy and I met and hit it off right away. We rehearsed separately for several weeks and finally came together shortly before our performances in Las Cruces; stopping and starting and trying things out. And, we’re still working together that way — listening to each other and trying different ways of interacting and taking turns.

RG: Through a mutual figure in music in the Mesilla Valley [region in Southern New Mexico and far West Texas], Barbara Toth. She suggested me to Algernon when he asked her about possible musician collaborators for An Iliad.

LAA: How did you two get together? How did you bring in the third person who will be doing the second El Paso show?AD: Randy is a full-time touring musician, so we knew other musicians might have to come in and that can help keep it fresh. The show will change as different musicians and different instruments are brought in.

So, Randy has a commitment on Saturday night [March 29th] and for that night we have John McClure, who might also be doing our shows in Deming, New Mexico. John is a musician and also an actor and director whom I’ve known for years, but this project is not quite like anything he’s done before. His primary instrument is guitar and he’s working with different stringed and percussion instruments; thinking about non-traditional ways of playing them in order to create new sounds and colors.

LAA: What made you want to do this show to begin with?AD: An Iliad is an example of the kind of theatre I want to make as an artist. It is very much the aesthetic of Trinity Rep[ertory Theatre], the theatre where I trained and worked for a while. Formally, we are going back to very ancient western theatre tradition with a storyteller and music in a plain space.

In fact, we take this even further by letting the playing space be rough, so you can see the back wall of the theatre or the prop shop or whatever. We tell theatres we want the audience to see the theatre inbetween shows, everything rough, to demonstrate that a storyteller and a musician can just show up and engage an audience with their commitment and artistry and not much else. No set. No lights. Randy doesn’t even plug in. I’ve got a beat-up suitcase and a broom handle. And we do the Trojan War.

The play itself is a piece about war. Not pro-war or anti-war, but a play about war as part of human history. The costs and the waste of it, but, also the solidarity among warriors, the courage, and this rage that seems to be part of the human condition and leads us into violent conflict again and again [throughout history].

RG: For me, the challenge of creating improvised music to such an iconic play in a live theatre setting was intimidating. I am always game to expand my creative comfort zone for art and music. My own recorded music and concerts are very polished with moments of improvisation, but more so structured in a way that my audience can experience what is on my recordings and videos [during my concerts].

LAA: What do you hope the audience gets out of it?AD: Their own experience. I don’t necessarily know what that is. But, it’s nice when we see the audience leave talking about the play. We’ve had amazing encounters with people like combat veterans, schoolteachers, a Greek scholar, a bunch of adolescents, and teenagers who came to see the show.

We live in a world where we can watch movies on our handphones, but live theatre, happening right in front of you, is something unique and I hope we’re making a strong case for how powerful that can be.

RG: As a musician, I hope they get the synergy and constant collaborating aspect of what Alergnon and I are doing in the moment. In other words, how we can be present and tuned in to each other’s work, emotional level, output, etc. As a theater-goer, I hope they get the message of An Iliad that violence has been a part of our humanity’s constant struggle to define ourselves through it.

LAA: Is there a challenge in engaging the audience since it’s just the two of you with different responsibilities? Especially with the attention span of audiences today.AD: We hear a lot about attention spans these days, but we’ve seen kids come to this show who were on the edge of their seats even if some of the story went over their heads the whole night. I’m not convinced people really have short attention spans. I think bored people have short attention spans. We establish a direct relationship with the audience. There is no “fourth wall.”

Once they get a sense of who Randy and I are, as characters, they agree to spend some time with us and see where we take them. And, we take them to a lot of places! We don’t put anyone on the spot, but we’re talking to you and we can see you. We move at a pretty fast pace, sometimes, relentlessly, but we also let things sink in and breathe as we go.

RG: Personally, I never thought [of it] that way. I believe we have a tendency to underestimate our audience. The feedback, overwhelmingly, has been that it passed so quickly; [that it] was so engaging that they didn’t notice almost two hours had passed.

LAA: Do you think the story of the Iliad is timeless? How does it apply to 2014?AD: The play makes a very strong case that it is. There is a continuing line from the wars of antiquity right up to Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria. The audience knows what the characters in the Iliad are going through, what Hector’s wife and father go through, the pride of Hector and his doubts, and while the triumph of Achilles might seem rather sadistic in a painting, we are shown the pain and loss that he went through as well.

The history of the human being is a history of destructive rage as much as it is about love or ingenuity. We build civilizations and then knock them down and then mourn. And, repeat. What is it that makes us do that?

RG: Oh, yes, it applies and is timeless as long as we, as human beings, continue to see ourselves as separate individuals who must battle one another for love, land, money, possessions, respect.

It even applies, in my opinion, to narco gangs who fight and murder each other over even a perceived slight or encroachment onto territory.

It is especially relevant to the Juarez/El Paso area with Fort Bliss, the murder of thousands each year in Juarez, and the somewhat machismo attitude of not respecting me, so I’m going to hurt you.

[It] Couldn’t be more relevant, really. I grew up in the Hispanic culture as a Mestizo, myself, and understand where machismo has its place in the culture. I didn’t truly discover my Native American ancestry until I had left home.

LAA: Talk about Theatre Dojo and the Glasbox.AD: Theatre Dojo is a project I began in Los Angeles years ago. Initially, we were exploring ways of teaching acting that included personal disciplines like yoga, aikido, tai chi, and meditation. We also began developing theatre projects that promoted social awareness, bearing witness, and healing.

It was dormant for many years, but I’ve lit the flame again in order to support acting classes that I teach as well as collaborations like this one Randy and I are having to make art that is exhilarating and stirs imaginations.

That’s the kind of space Glasbox is trying to create, too. Glasbox is gathering people from various disciplines to learn from each other, take risks, and engage people in a room where anything is possible. Because human energy can move mountains when it’s applied well. We hope to bring some new people to Glasbox’s new space so they will come back and see other things that are happening there.

LAA: Anything you want people to know about this show that they might not know or realize?AD: Oh they should just come and not know what to expect!

RG: It happens in real time with no sound score. I am playing some of the world’s most unique instruments as well as found instruments like using a pill bottle filled with popcorn for a rattle, the Hang drum, a bucket from a hardware store, tequila bottles filled with water to create different pitches. I’m creating [the music] like a film score soundtrack, but in real time reacting and supporting the story and Algernon’s amazing acting.

LAA: After the El Paso shows, what’s next for you guys and this show?AD: We’ve booked this show in Albuquerque and are in talks with venues in San Francisco and Asheville, North Carolina. I’ll be doing summer stock all summer and Randy has his own gigs, but we’ll continue doing this show, indefinitely. And, there is no reason we wouldn’t come back and play some more [shows] in El Paso. Who knows?

Saturday, March 22nd, 2014

Interview with Randy Granger and Algernon D'Amassa on KTEP's State of the Arts program with Monica Gomez. Stream live at http://ktep.org. We speak about out production of An Iliad in El Paso, TX at the Glasbox Theater. https://www.facebook.com/events/505415062901916/

Sunday, February 23rd, 2014

Veteran stage actor Algernon D’Ammassa collaborates with virtuoso musician Randy Granger at The Black Box Theatre in downtown Las Cruces for the southwestern premiere of this highly acclaimed, Obie award-winning adaptation of Homer’s Iliad. The New York Times called “spellbinding…an age-old story that resonates with tragic meaning today.” Based on Robert Fagles’s translation of Homer’s epic, this modern play retells the ancient tale of gods, goddesses, warriors and their families, and the endless battles of human history with a gripping, modern voice. The production will play for three performances at the Black Box Theatre and then launch a tour of venues around New Mexico and in El Paso, Texas.

"An Iliad" opens on an empty stage with the entrance of a strange, apparently homeless man with a beat-up suitcase. He begins to sing in ancient Greek, a song seemingly as old as humanity, and a song he has been singing for a very long time. He has difficulty remembering all of the words now, but the stories possess him and we see it is his destiny to tell this tale – and ours, to live it, generation after generation.

This new production of "An Iliad" brings together two accomplished artists from the Las Cruces area in a collaboration of storytelling and music. Algernon D’Ammassa plays the role of the Poet with music improvised by the celebrated musician Randy Granger on a variety of instruments. The presence of live music harkens to an ancient tradition wherein traveling poets would accompany themselves on a lyre. In this collaboration, Granger and D’Ammassa have stated that the music will have a life of its own.

Algernon D’Ammassa is a theatrical actor who has also appeared on film and television. He trained professionally at the Trinity Repertory Company in Providence, Rhode Island and has traveled all over the United States and to Europe as a performer and teacher. In 2006, he founded Theatre Dojo in Los Angeles, California as a multi-disciplinary community combining yoga, meditation, and martial arts with the performing arts. Since 2011, he has worked regularly with No Strings Theatre Company of Las Cruces, and he teaches at the Creative Media Institute at New Mexico State University.

Randy Granger is a native New Mexican of indigenous ancestry. He is a master of various instruments, combining Native American flute with musical traditions encompassing rock, jazz, mariachi, and more. Based in Las Cruces, he tours the United States as a solo musician and teacher.

Performances of "An Iliad" are Friday, February 21, 2014 at 8:00 p.m., February 22, 2014 at 8:00 p.m., and February 23, 2014 at 2:30 p.m.. The admission is $12.00 regular admission and $10.00 for students and seniors.

Reservations can be made by calling the Black Box Theatre at (575) 523-1223 or visiting www.no-strings.org. Subsequent dates and venues are to be announced. For more information on the tour, a Facebook page has been established atwww.facebook.com/algernoniliad

Saturday, February 22nd, 2014

Veteran stage actor Algernon D’Ammassa collaborates with virtuoso musician Randy Granger at The Black Box Theatre in downtown Las Cruces for the southwestern premiere of this highly acclaimed, Obie award-winning adaptation of Homer’s Iliad. The New York Times called “spellbinding…an age-old story that resonates with tragic meaning today.” Based on Robert Fagles’s translation of Homer’s epic, this modern play retells the ancient tale of gods, goddesses, warriors and their families, and the endless battles of human history with a gripping, modern voice. The production will play for three performances at the Black Box Theatre and then launch a tour of venues around New Mexico and in El Paso, Texas.

"An Iliad" opens on an empty stage with the entrance of a strange, apparently homeless man with a beat-up suitcase. He begins to sing in ancient Greek, a song seemingly as old as humanity, and a song he has been singing for a very long time. He has difficulty remembering all of the words now, but the stories possess him and we see it is his destiny to tell this tale – and ours, to live it, generation after generation.

This new production of "An Iliad" brings together two accomplished artists from the Las Cruces area in a collaboration of storytelling and music. Algernon D’Ammassa plays the role of the Poet with music improvised by the celebrated musician Randy Granger on a variety of instruments. The presence of live music harkens to an ancient tradition wherein traveling poets would accompany themselves on a lyre. In this collaboration, Granger and D’Ammassa have stated that the music will have a life of its own.

Algernon D’Ammassa is a theatrical actor who has also appeared on film and television. He trained professionally at the Trinity Repertory Company in Providence, Rhode Island and has traveled all over the United States and to Europe as a performer and teacher. In 2006, he founded Theatre Dojo in Los Angeles, California as a multi-disciplinary community combining yoga, meditation, and martial arts with the performing arts. Since 2011, he has worked regularly with No Strings Theatre Company of Las Cruces, and he teaches at the Creative Media Institute at New Mexico State University.

Randy Granger is a native New Mexican of indigenous ancestry. He is a master of various instruments, combining Native American flute with musical traditions encompassing rock, jazz, mariachi, and more. Based in Las Cruces, he tours the United States as a solo musician and teacher.

Performances of "An Iliad" are Friday, February 21, 2014 at 8:00 p.m., February 22, 2014 at 8:00 p.m., and February 23, 2014 at 2:30 p.m.. The admission is $12.00 regular admission and $10.00 for students and seniors.

Reservations can be made by calling the Black Box Theatre at (575) 523-1223 or visiting www.no-strings.org. Subsequent dates and venues are to be announced. For more information on the tour, a Facebook page has been established atwww.facebook.com/algernoniliad

Friday, February 21st, 2014

Veteran stage actor Algernon D’Ammassa collaborates with virtuoso musician Randy Granger at The Black Box Theatre in downtown Las Cruces for the southwestern premiere of this highly acclaimed, Obie award-winning adaptation of Homer’s Iliad. The New York Times called “spellbinding…an age-old story that resonates with tragic meaning today.” Based on Robert Fagles’s translation of Homer’s epic, this modern play retells the ancient tale of gods, goddesses, warriors and their families, and the endless battles of human history with a gripping, modern voice. The production will play for three performances at the Black Box Theatre and then launch a tour of venues around New Mexico and in El Paso, Texas.

"An Iliad" opens on an empty stage with the entrance of a strange, apparently homeless man with a beat-up suitcase. He begins to sing in ancient Greek, a song seemingly as old as humanity, and a song he has been singing for a very long time. He has difficulty remembering all of the words now, but the stories possess him and we see it is his destiny to tell this tale – and ours, to live it, generation after generation.

This new production of "An Iliad" brings together two accomplished artists from the Las Cruces area in a collaboration of storytelling and music. Algernon D’Ammassa plays the role of the Poet with music improvised by the celebrated musician Randy Granger on a variety of instruments. The presence of live music harkens to an ancient tradition wherein traveling poets would accompany themselves on a lyre. In this collaboration, Granger and D’Ammassa have stated that the music will have a life of its own.

Algernon D’Ammassa is a theatrical actor who has also appeared on film and television. He trained professionally at the Trinity Repertory Company in Providence, Rhode Island and has traveled all over the United States and to Europe as a performer and teacher. In 2006, he founded Theatre Dojo in Los Angeles, California as a multi-disciplinary community combining yoga, meditation, and martial arts with the performing arts. Since 2011, he has worked regularly with No Strings Theatre Company of Las Cruces, and he teaches at the Creative Media Institute at New Mexico State University.

Randy Granger is a native New Mexican of indigenous ancestry. He is a master of various instruments, combining Native American flute with musical traditions encompassing rock, jazz, mariachi, and more. Based in Las Cruces, he tours the United States as a solo musician and teacher.

Performances of "An Iliad" are Friday, February 21, 2014 at 8:00 p.m., February 22, 2014 at 8:00 p.m., and February 23, 2014 at 2:30 p.m.. The admission is $12.00 regular admission and $10.00 for students and seniors.

Reservations can be made by calling the Black Box Theatre at (575) 523-1223 or visiting www.no-strings.org. Subsequent dates and venues are to be announced. For more information on the tour, a Facebook page has been established atwww.facebook.com/algernoniliad

Sunday, July 30th, 2017

July 30th, 7PM Longtime professional musician extraordinaire, Randy Granger will be back to entertain and touch our hearts with his considerable musical gifts. Please, bring a donation of $10 and some extra cash to buy CDs. We will have complementary refreshments, too.

Return house concert with Randy Granger at Jeanne and Mark's home in West Des Moines, Iowa. Email Jeanne for info and address please. jeanlyle@mchsi.com reservations required.